Music at St. Thomas

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music@stthomascolumbus.org

Dear Friends and Families,

St. Thomas has a long history of excellence in music and is known throughout the region for the excellence of our musical forces. We sing all the Anglican classics and love to sing music of living Episcopal composers. We have commissioned several choral and handbell works. The St. Thomas Choir also likes to travel, and in the last decade have sung at the Washington National Cathedral, Wells and Gloucester Cathedrals in England, and most recently at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. While maintaining high standards through hard work and dedication, we also have a lot of fun together. The choir is certainly a warm and supportive community.

- Rick McKnight, Organist and Choirmaster

Music Ministry Opportunities at St. Thomas

St. Thomas Choir

For ages high school and up, this choir sings for the 10:30 service from August to May. This is a non-auditioned choir. All that is required is being able to meet the rehearsal schedule, a pleasing voice, and the ability to read music. Rehearsals take place Wednesday from 6:45 – 8:30 PM in the choir room, plus a Sunday morning warm up in the church at 9:30 AM.

St. Thomas Children's Choir

St. Thomas Children’s Choir is open to all children aged 4-5th grade. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm. They sing monthly at the 10:30 service and always at the Christmas Eve Family Service and on Palm Sunday. Click here to contact Erin Redden, the Children’s Christian Formation Director.

The Summer Choir

This is an inter-generational choir that provides general musical leadership while the St. Thomas Choir is off in the summer. This non-vested choir meets in the choir room at 10 AM to prepare for the service at 10:30. This is a perfect time to bring the entire family and enjoy a bird's-eye view from the choir loft.

Instrumentalists

If you play a musical instrument proficiently we would love to feature you in our services. Please contact Organist and Choir Master, Rick McKnight, directly.

The St. Thomas Choir Locally & Globally

The St. Thomas Choir in England

St. Thomas Choir was the choir-in-residence at Wells and Gloucester Cathedrals, England, in the summer of 2009. It was a tremendous experience. Click the link below to hear “Vox Christi” by Prof. Philip Wilby of the University of Leeds. This brand-new composition is dedicated by Prof. Wilby to Rick McKnight and the Choir of St. Thomas. “Vox Christi” is sung here by the Choir of Wells Cathedral (Matthew Owen, conductor), and it is published by the Royal School of Church Music.

A Night of Jazz at St. Thomas

In September 2010, St. Thomas “wowed” the community with an evening of Jazz Vespers followed by a Jazz Jam in All Saints Hall. A benefit for CVEM, more than 300 people attended and $2500 was raised! The Columbus Jazz Society partnered in this event which focused attention on “A Reflection on Creation.” The featured guest musician was violinist David Ragsdale who grew up at St. Thomas and is best known for his time with rock group Kansas. The evening was also a tribute to his mother, Carol Ragsdale, a St. Thomas member and early founder of the Jazz Society.

Viva Vivaldi!

The Choirs of St. Thomas & St. Paul UMC combined for a glorious choral and instrumental Vivaldi Vespers on May 16, 2010, featuring the Gloria and Beatus vir.

Media Corner

St. Thomas Episcopal Church Choir, Columbus, GA sings Ubi Caritas in the Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral in Ely, United Kingdom.